There exists an oft-unasked question around the purpose of jewelry: Can it be practical, in addition to being decorative? The partial answer, as provided by Doyle & Doyle (the New York–based antique jewelry collective founded by sisters Elizabeth Doyle and Irene Pamela Doyle) and Vogue’s Lynn Yaeger, is that there’s an entire bracket of treasures doing more than just proverbially sitting pretty–they’re handy, as well.

Together, Yaeger and Elizabeth curated a one-week-only showcase of extraordinary and useful vintage objects called “A Life Adorned: Lavish Accessories,” as part of Doyle & Doyle’s newly founded exhibition series called The Vault. Think rarefied heirlooms, produced by the likes of Chaumet and Gucci, in precious metals and diamonds ranging from compacts to purses to whistles to hairpins. “This type of thing, in the fine jewelry category—it doesn’t exist anymore,” said Yaeger, almost whimsically. “They’re just strange little survivors.”

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Photographed by Pablo Frisk

Strange, and wonderful. Guests, including an Anndra Neen clutch–toting Sofía Sanchez Barrenechea (speaking of multipurpose jewelry!), perused such highlights as a rose-quartz parasol handle gridded with tiny turquoise stones (at first, we thought it may have been a pendant—but, remember, most everything here serves a greater duty), a silver cigarette box engraved with a map of Europe, upon which its owner inset a gemstone for every city she’d visited on the continent, and a gold Cartier notepad, original and unused paper still intact. “This segment of jewelry is something that a lot of people haven’t seen before,” said Elizabeth Doyle, “and it’s all actually pretty well preserved.”

Yaeger’s involvement was a no-brainer for the sisters—she’s a friend, client, and self-confessed addict for all things aged and exquisite. “I’ve been on a little bit of a binge,” said the writer, while pointing to two new bracelets (procured from Doyle & Doyle). “I hope it’s over, but I’m going to London for the shows, and London is the capital of antique jewelry . . . .”

“A Life Adorned: Lavish Accessories” opens today and runs through February 14 at 412 West Thirteenth Street. It will also be available to view online at doyledoyle.com.